Chicken Chesapeake Recipe: A Delicious and Easy-to-Make Dish

Are you looking for a flavorful and satisfying chicken recipe? Look no further than Chicken Chesapeake! This delectable dish combines succulent chicken breasts with a rich and creamy crab imperial stuffing. In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating this mouthwatering recipe. So, let's dive in and discover how to prepare Chicken Chesapeake!

Chicken Chesapeake is a classic recipe that offers a delightful blend of tender chicken and a flavorful crab imperial stuffing. It's a dish that can be prepared quickly, making it an excellent choice for busy individuals or families looking for a healthy and delicious meal.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients (for 2 servings):

For the Crab Imperial:

1 pound of crab meat
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp sour cream
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 egg
8 whole crushed crackers
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
½ tsp paprika

For the Chicken:

5 to 6 large boneless chicken breasts
2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Now that we have our ingredients ready, let's start preparing this delightful dish!

Making the Crab Imperial

Step 1: Preparing the Crab Meat

To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F. Ensure that the crab meat is free of shells and cartilage. Wash it thoroughly with clean water to remove any impurities.

Step 2: Mixing the Ingredients

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the crab imperial, except for the crab meat, salt, and pepper. Mix them well until everything is thoroughly combined. Next, add the crab meat to the mixture and gently fold it in. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Baking the Crab Imperial

Grease a baking dish and pour the crab mixture into it. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown. Once baked, let it sit for about 10 minutes before using it as a stuffing.

Pro tip: If you're short on time, you can skip baking the crab imperial separately. Instead, you can mix the ingredients with the chicken breasts and bake them together.

Step 4: Optional Variation

For an extra touch of flavor, you can experiment with different ingredients. Consider adding Parmesan or cream cheese to the crab imperial mixture, allowing you to create your own unique twist on this traditional recipe.

Now that our crab imperial is ready, let's move on to preparing the chicken breasts.

Preparing the Chicken Breasts

Step 1: Preheating the Oven

Ensure that your oven is still preheated to 350°F from the previous step.

Step 2: Tenderizing the Chicken Breasts

Place the chicken breasts inside a Ziploc bag and flatten them using the flat end of a meat hammer. This process helps to make the thickness of the chicken breasts more uniform, ensuring even cooking.

Pro tip: For an added burst of flavor, you can marinate the chicken breasts in a mixture of white wine and extra virgin olive oil. Alternatively, you can pour melted butter over the stuffed breasts before baking.

Step 3: Creating a Pocket

Take each chicken breast and carefully butterfly it open to create a pocket-like incision in the center. This pocket will hold the delicious crab imperial stuffing.

Step 4: Seasoning the Chicken Breasts

Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning, ensuring that both sides are evenly coated.

Step 5: Stuffing the Chicken Breasts

Grease a baking dish and place the seasoned chicken breasts on it. Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the crab imperial mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast. Use toothpicks to secure the opening and prevent the stuffing from spilling out during baking.

Step 6: Baking the Chicken Breasts

Place the baking dish with the stuffed chicken breasts in the preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken breasts turn golden brown. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F for safe consumption.

Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle and the juices to redistribute within the chicken.

Serving and Enjoying

Chicken Chesapeake pairs well with various side dishes such as french fries, salad, or rice. You can also garnish it with lemon wedges for an added burst of freshness. Serve the chicken breasts alongside your chosen accompaniments and enjoy!

Ingredient Substitution

While the traditional Chicken Chesapeake recipe uses specific ingredients, you can always experiment with substitutions to create exciting variations of this dish. Here are a couple of ingredient substitution ideas:

Cajun Seasoning: If you don't have Old Bay seasoning on hand, you can substitute it with Cajun seasoning. The mix of herbs and spices in Cajun seasoning provides a similar flavor profile, albeit with a slightly spicier kick. Use it in a 1:1 ratio as a suitable alternative.
Soy Sauce: In place of Worcestershire sauce, you can use soy sauce. While it won't provide the exact same tartness or spice as Worcestershire sauce, it offers a similar consistency and blends well with the other flavors in the dish. Swap them in a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Conclusion

Chicken Chesapeake is a delightful recipe that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich and flavorful crab imperial stuffing. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can quickly create this mouthwatering dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether you're cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, Chicken Chesapeake is sure to impress with its burst of flavors. So, don't wait any longer—gather the ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and embark on a culinary adventure with this delicious Chicken Chesapeake recipe!

Easy Recipe